Premier League: Swansea v Stoke Match Preview

Alook ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Liberty Stadium

Stoke City will look to end their losing streak in the league when they travel to Swansea City on Saturday. Tony Pulis’ side lie 10th in the table following heavy losses to Chelsea and Manchester City in their past two league outings.

But the Staffordshire club returned to winning ways against Championship side Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Tuesday and have set their sights on securing three points at the Liberty Stadium.

Stoke may be tempted to start Kenwyne Jones against the side which had a £3m bid for the forward rejected this week. Jones did not feature much for Stoke earlier in the season, but has recently regained his place in the starting line-up and scored the opening goal in the win against Palace.

Ninth-placed Swansea are seven points adrift of a European place, but could climb as high as seventh if they register their eighth win of the season on Saturday.

Swansea were beaten 1-0 at Arsenal in the FA Cup midweek, but remain buoyed by an unbeaten run of seven matches in all competitions before their trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Michael Laudrup made six changes to the Swansea side that drew with Everton in the Premier League against Arsenal and is expected to make a similar amount of altercations on Saturday, as they look to continue their good run.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Stoke 2 (Crouch 2) Swansea 0 – Premier League. September 2012

Stoke 2 (Upson, Crouch) Swansea 0 – Premier League. February 2012

Swansea 2 (Sinclair, Graham) Stoke 0 – Premier League. October 2011

STATS…

Swansea are unbeaten in five league matches, although four of those games have finished as draws.

Three Swans players have a pass success rate of above 90 per cent this season: Garry Monk, Ki Sung-Yueng and Leon Britton.

Swansea have had the most home draws in the Premier League, drawing six times in 11 games at the Liberty Stadium.

Stoke have conceded seven goals in two league games so far in 2013, losing 3-0 at champions Manchester City and then suffering a 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea.

Stoke's position in the top half of the Premier League is largely thanks to their home form; away from home, Tony Pulis' side have won just once in 11 games.

Every one of the previous Premier League meetings between these two sides has finished 2-0. Stoke have been the victors twice, with Swansea winning on one occasion.

ODDS…

Swansea to win: 2.26

Stoke to win: 3.65

Draw: 3.4

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm